04 June 2011

Outside looking in

It's easy to see what's wrong with a situation when you are not involved in it. For example, there is a blog I read and this person was recently diagnosed with a life changing condition - not necessarily a life ending condition, just changing. And as any well informed person would do, they did some research on their condition and the medication they are taking to learn exactly what's going on and how it will affect them and their lives. Unfortunately, there are times when information is not a good thing - as in this case. This person learned that the medication they will be taking does a specific thing to their body - basically it removes a nutrient. Now that they know this fact, whenever they feel slightly off they assume it's because of what this medication does, that the nutrient is too low and they can't function with it that low. Now here's the problem with that, it's most likely not true.

There is a fine line between using something as an excuse and listening to your body. Lord knows, I am not one to talk because I have done this sort of thing myself. In fact I've gone both ways. I have let something I thought alter my actions - used it as an excuse - and I have ignored warning signs and pushed through. There is a balance you need to create in your mind and body in order to accomplish this health journey. There are times when you (or I) need to listen to my body and back down when it says too. And there are times when I need to push through and tell my body to screw off. There are even times when things like testosterone cypionate are called for. The hardest part is learning when to battle it out and when to throw in the towel. It's hard but can be learned. I have also found that rarely has pushing through let me down - seriously. Unless I'm pushing through pain. If I'm feeling serious hunger, thirst, even low blood sugar, I've never injured myself by pushing through. I have had to take it down a notch or two, but I've never regretted it. I have regretted giving in too soon. It's a fine balance we have to walk and it is much easier to see what's going on when you are on the outside looking in.